Eels v Rabbitohs preview

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The media has been pummeling these two in the past week - who will answer their critics and claim a much needed victory?

Well unless you've been living under a rock you would know that the Eels have certainly faced quite a lot of scrutiny in the past couple of weeks. Ever since the handing down of the salary cap sanctions, the financial dilemmas of the home side have dominated the headlines and it still is up in the air whether the Eels will be allowed, under the rules, to contest for points on Friday night. If they aren't, it will take a brave punter to predict what effect this will have on their morale. Will they rise to the challenge, proving their grit that has been one of Parramatta's surprising qualities of 2016 or will they falter under the knowledge that all their hard work will go unrewarded. Well, if we assume that they will be playing for points you have got to think that the Eels will be desperate. The equation - win 12 of 15 and finals footy is certainly a possibility. It all starts on Friday night. I would go as far as saying that had their penalties not been handed down by Friday night, the desperation of the South Sydney side would prevail. Yet, playing at home, the Eels will be confident of kicking off what is realistically their start to their 2016 campaign with a victory. Following the sentencing of the Melbourne Storm in 2010, the Storm would respond in their first game following with a resounding 46-6 victory over the Warriors. Despite the absence of their captains in Kieran Foran and Tim Mannah the Eels proved their mettle against the Dogs only a couple of weeks ago and their defence is likely to feature in this one. 

For the Bunnies, the most significant factor they have going in their favour is also desperation. After winning their opening 2 games of the season the 2014 Premiers fell to lose 5 of their next 6. In an interesting move, coach Michael Maguire has switched Greg Inglis to five-eighth, perhaps to get the international's hands on the ball a bit more. Inglis has been roaring in the past couple of weeks, and will look to spark his side's poor form in the past month. In what is a concerning statistic, in the 3 games the Rabbitohs have played Top 8 teams this season they have fallen by an average margin of 26 points. With the Rabbitohs languishing in 12th position, likewise to the Eels, a victory here would ensure the Rabbitohs get what has been a faltering season back on track.

Last meeting: Round 11 2015 - Rabbitohs 14 Eels 12

Who to watch: Two fill in halves battle it out in the 5/8th position for differing reasons. In the absence of Foran, Brad Takairangi dominated with 2 try assists and a try in Parramatta's 20-12 victory over the Bulldogs. Takairangi's short kicking game in particular was a surprise bonus, with his blockbusting runs also a standout for the Eels.

Inglis, however, has been placed in the 5/8th spot in an attempt to spark an otherwise disappointing Rabbitohs side. With Keary dropped to the bench, Inglis will be looking to provide Souths with more unpredictability in attack and is sure to attract defenders from the opposition.

The favourite: The Eels are strong favourites despite their recent Salary Cap dramas.

My tip: Not too sure about this one. It really depends on which South Sydney side shows up. Originally before the Salary Cap dramas I was thinking Souths would be too desperate and upset Parramatta. But, with a whole lot of heart Parra should put on a show in both defence and attack and claim a brave victory. Eels by 20.

1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 5. Vai Toutai 6. Clinton Gutherson 4. Brad Takairangi 7. Corey Norman 8. Junior Paulo 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Peni Terepo 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 10. Danny Wicks 18. Kaysa Pritchard 16. David Gower 20. Ken Edwards

1. Alex Johnston 2. Dane Nielsen 3. Kirisome Auva'a 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Michael Oldfield 6. Greg Inglis 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Nathan Brown 11. Paul Carter 12. Kyle Turner 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Luke Keary 15. Jason Clark 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. George Burgess

Referees: Ben Cummins, Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Peter Gough; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea, Jason Robinson